The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has expressed optimism that the 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted in Oyo State will soon regain their freedom, saying ongoing military operations are recording significant progress.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Sunday during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, after armed men attacked three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, triggering nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools.
Providing an update on the rescue efforts, the Army Chief said troops remained actively engaged in the operation and were closing in on the abductors.
“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” Shaibu said.
He expressed confidence that the pupils and their teachers would soon be reunited with their families.
The PLATFORM TIMES reports that the abduction has remained one of the country’s most disturbing mass kidnapping incidents in recent months, with security agencies coming under pressure to secure the victims’ release.
Shaibu said the rescue mission formed part of wider military offensives across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones aimed at combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Highlighting achievements in the North-East, he disclosed that troops under Operation Hadin Kai recently eliminated a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, during a joint operation with United States partners.
According to him, the operation has neutralised over 1,872 insurgents, while several others have surrendered to the military.
He added that improved security in parts of Borno State had enabled displaced residents to return home, leading to the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama.
In the North-West, Shaibu said troops under Operation Fansan Yamma had continued to dismantle bandit networks through sustained offensives and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
He also listed Operations Enduring Freedom, Whirlwind and the newly launched Operation Savannah Shield as key interventions strengthening security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi State.
The Army Chief further stated that security had improved considerably in the South-East, while sustained operations against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the South-South had contributed to increased crude oil production.
He described the South-West as one of the country’s most peaceful regions, noting that the Oyo school abduction remained an isolated but serious security challenge.
Shaibu also announced that the Federal Government had approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, to boost military recruitment and training.
According to him, the Army is currently recruiting 28,000 young Nigerians, with thousands already graduating from training depots in Zaria and Osogbo, while another batch is expected to complete training in Ebonyi.
He added that the Nigerian Army had upgraded its training curriculum and acquired modern combat assets, including armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and surveillance drones, to enhance its operational capability against evolving security threats.
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